Klusener rips India apart

THE Indian heads hung low at the close of the second day of the second Test against South Africa at Newlands, Cape Town yesterday, after being hit by a triple dose of summer lightning in the shape of all rounder Lance Klusener.

Klusener took the limited Indian attack apart, scoring the fastest century in South African Test history to help boost Hansie Cronje's team to a massive 529-7 before the declaration.

Then, with a freak injury to Nayan Mongia forcing a shake up of the order, Klusener struck immediately, running out Wookeri Raman for five to have the Indians staggering at 7-1. And still it wasn't over, Klusener, who had returned a debut 8-64 against the Indians in Calcutta, struck again, bowling makeshift opener Rahul Dravid for two to leave the tourists reeling on 2-24.

At the close, India were 29 for three, with Saurav Ganguly on 19 and Sachin Tendulkar (1) still at the crease after spinner Paul Adams had removed nightwatchman Venkatesh Prasad for a duck.

But there was no doubt that it was Klusener who had been the catalyst for the shockwaves which left India reeling. With Brian McMillan, who had batted throughout the day to end with 103 not out, Klusener played havoc with any plans the Indians might have had of playing themselves into the match.

He hammered 27 runs off the final over and five balls he faced and was undefeated when Cronje declared with 102 off just 100 balls.

The Indian woes had been compounded by having to hastily rearrange their top order after wicketkeeper Mongia was forced to leave the field during the South African innings. Mongia, stooping to field a return from Tendulkar, was victim of a freak accident, getting a bail in the left eye when his captain's throw hit the wickets.

Somehow, it had all gone wrong for the tourists after an encouraging start to the second day. The opening session began well for the big hearted Indian new ball pair of Prasad and Javagal Srinath, two wickets falling with only 45 runs added to the overnight total of 280-4.

Cronje, undefeated on 35 overnight, was the first to go, attempting to fend off a lifting delivery from Srinath to be well caught down the leg side by Mongia, giving the wicketkeeper his 50th Test dismissal. Shaun Pollock (1) went five overs later, sparring at a delivery from Prasad to give Tendulkar a relatively straightforward slip catch with the total one run short of 300.

But then McMillan was joined by veteran wicketkeeper Dave Richardson and together they put on a partnership of 40 runs that frustrated the Indian bowlers.

Richardson went to a catch by Dravid, trying to pull Srinath for 39 but then Klusener came to the crease and the day, which had been characterised by gritty batting and line and length bowling, suddenly caught fire.